Chapter 6

AFTER her classes, went home then she saw Jared standing outside the guard house of the subdivision where they live in. He looked like they’re waiting for someone and when he finally saw her, he came up to her, frowning.

“Why did you go home right after your classes?”

“What?” She has nowhere to go after classes. She’s not the type who goes out with friends after their classes. She usually goes home right after and then she uses her free time to rest before doing home works.

“Why?” he asked.

“Why not?” Zharm felt so confused that moment. Jared knows that her daily routine is just going to school and going back home. “I don’t have anywhere to go.”

“Haven’t I told you to wait for me? Why did you keep me waiting at school?” He had a gloomy look on his face. He looked really hurt by what she did but she wanted to laugh at him because she though he was just joking. But when he looked at her with his sad eyes, she felt really bad about it. She knew from the look on his face that he’s not joking anymore. Jared had always been sensitive, maybe because he’s an only child and he’s used to getting what he wants. It wasn’t Zharm’s intention to keep him waiting. She’s aware that he’s going to fetch her. She actually waited for a few minutes for him but when he did not show up, she assumed that maybe he had a sudden Taekwondo training, which sometimes happens.

“I tried to wait for you for a few minutes but you weren’t there. I thought you went somewhere that’s why I did not bother to wait for you a little bit longer.” She gave him an apologetic smile.

“But still, I told you to wait for me.”

“Yes, you did, but somehow, I also thought that you were just joking around.”

“Have you ever taken me seriously?” he said in an irritated tone.

“I’m sorry, you could’ve made it clear for me to understand. You just said that you’ll fetch me without telling me your plans.” He moved closer to him and he had a deep breath before continuing. It’s very obvious that he’s trying too hard not to get mad at her.

“Zharm, I can’t tell you everything but you have to trust me. And if I told you that I’ll fetch you, I’ll fetch you no matter what. I don’t want you to go home alone because it’s dangerous for a lady like you to go home alone, especially at night. I don’t know what would I do if something bad would happen to you,” he said. Zharm can’t even answer back because she was just staring at Jared. He did not sound angry anymore. In fact, he sounded worried. Learning that he cared for her made her heart filled with warmth. “Come here.” He reached out to hold her hand which she immediately accepted.

She flinched when she felt a current zapping through her when their palms touched, like she touched an exposed wire. Zharm can’t tell if Jared had felt that, too, because he wasn’t showing any reaction. He just pulled her closer as they started to walk inside the subdivision. They were walking side by side, hand in hand, without talking to each other. That moment could’ve been silent if not only because the loud thumping of her heart that Zharm can actually hear. She focused on their hands, wondering how natural it felt, like they fit each other’s personalities perfectly. With that thought, Zharm realized that it was all that Jared did all her life- hold her hand. He held her hand when she’s afraid, he held her hand when she’s having a hard time in her life, and he held her hand when she’s happy- like what she feels right now. He had never left her side through the years. Yes, he annoys the hell out of her but he also loved her the most, even as a friend.

She was consumed by her thoughts that she realized that they were in front of Jared’s house when he stopped walking. She, too, had to stop.

“We’re here,” he said.

“Okay. Thanks.” She turned her back at him and started to walk to her house when he stopped her. “Wait, where are you going?” he asked.

“At my house. Why?” she asked when she looked back at him.

“I did not walk you all the way here to let you just go.”

“What are you talking about?” She felt so confused.

“I’m taking you on a date.”

“On a date? Then, why did you bring me here?”

“Because I prepared something in my house.” He smiled. “I asked our cook, Landa, to cook for us. Let’s go?” Before she could even answer, Jared held her hand and excitedly guided her inside his house.

“I can tell that you’re not that excited,” she said sarcastically. Jared just laughed and Zharm can’t keep herself from smiling, too. She was touched by the thought that he had actually planned something for her.

“You know, I should hurry before you change your mind,” he jokingly said.

Jared guided her to his backyard and she was in awe with what she saw. She had been there for a couple of times already but she had never saw that place turned out so pretty. There was a table for two that was set up by the pool decorated with candles and flowers. The trees in the backyard has steady white lights on it that lit up the place. It was a romantic set up, which she thought, she can see only in the movies. Who could’ve thought that she could experience such moment because of Jared? In all fairness, she’s impressed by him.